Christmas Woodland Dining Room

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #BIGSeason #BigLots #CollectiveBias 

I know what you are thinking…”at least let me finish eating my turkey!”  I know it’s a little early for Christmas decorating, but I wanted to share with you as many ideas as possible before you break out the dusty holiday boxes from the garage.  You know that I love tablescapes and this is the first Christmas table that I share this year.  I usually mix and match items that I already own and maybe add in a little new touch each year.  However, this year I am participating in Big Lots’ National Decorate Your Home for the holidays week by decorating a room in my home.

Big Lots has declared National Decorate Your Home for the Holidays Week as the week of November 16th- 22nd and I chose to concentrate on my dining room.  If you are going to decorate a dining room from scratch, you want to find beautiful and affordable options.

This was my dining room last Christmas.  I did like it, but this year I wanted to make it more colorful and cozy.

Big Lots has everything you need – for inside and outside your home, to get a start on the holiday season.  There was an incredible selection – some items were fun, others more formal, but when I saw their woodland-themed items, I knew those were the ones for my table.

Our dining table is huge and I often struggle to find the right decor that will fill up the space.  I want to share with you how to create a dramatic table setting by filling up your table without emptying the bank.

1. Unite components instead of purchasing a big centerpiece.

Large centerpieces can be really expensive and then you feel like you have to use it year after year to make it “worth” your investment.  I would rather unite pieces that I can use together or split them up throughout the house if I choose to.  In this case, I purchased 2 pinecone garlands, 2 medium sized candleholders (with attached greenery) and the cutest deer ever to create a long and dramatic centerpiece.

2.  Keep the decorations low.

It is tempting to use tall items to decorate your table, but then Aunt Suzzie can’t see little Billy across the table.  I mean, maybe she doesn’t want to see Billy and in that case you can totally place a Christmas tree between them – but usually one of the best things about holiday meals is the interaction between family – especially family that we don’t see all the time.  Keep the decor low and instead spread out the items.

And seriously, how sweet is that deer?!

3.  Mix and match styles in order to tie the room into the decor.

In my kitchen I have a casual table that has marks from doing homework and serving dinners, however my dining room table is fancy and shiny.  When I want to use a casual and warmer theme like this one, I incorporate fancy elements with more casual ones.  In this case a red charger with beading, and a casual woven placemat.

4 – Skip napkin rings or make your own.

I love napkin rings and I actually collect them, but I admit that those little touches can really add to the cost of your tablescape.  I also love a simple napkin with a sprig of thyme on top of a white plate.  In this case, I am using kitchen towels as napkins and instead of a napkin ring, I am using this set of ornaments that I also found at Big Lots.  The existing loop fits perfectly over the napkin!  Next year I can use them for their intended use – ornaments.  For now, I love the earthiness that they add to the table!

5 – Not everything has to match.

Actually, it shouldn’t.  The table setting is more interesting with added colors and textures.  Things do have to “go” together but that doesn’t mean they have to be a perfect match.  When I found these mugs at Big Lots, I decided to purchase 4 green and 4 red.  This is what my Christmas morning breakfast table will look like and those sweater mugs are perfect for coffee or hot cocoa!

I added quite a few LED candles to my table.  Some were simple pillars and a few were these sweet little trees.

In the background of the table you can see this cute little wreath that I picked up when I “thought” I was done with my shopping.

Also, since there is a small table in the corner of the room, I decided to remove the vases that are usually there, and display this lit-tree.  It was one of the first things that I picked up when I got to Big Lots.  I love that twinkle in the corner of the room and I intend to leave it simple and not add decorations.  I also picked up this little sign while I was there.

Talking about signs, I loved all of them!  I picked up another two to add some Christmas touches to my small buffet table.  The “Baby It’s Cold Outside” sign brings clothespins and an attached line, making it perfect to hang a few Christmas cards.   I also found these 3 little trees that really brought the woodsy theme into that dining room corner.

Up on top of the table are some appetizer plates, utensils and a gold bowl that I decorated with a box of filler from Big Lots.  And of course, another sweet sign!

I had a great time purchasing the items for this room and decorating this table.  I absolutely love this time of the year!  I completely transformed my dining room for my Christmas Day Brunch and I know my family will love it!  I was thinking of letting everyone take their mug as a gift.  What do you think?

Planning ahead for the holiday season and decorating earlier can mean less stress and more time for the things that matter most!  Join in National Decorate Your Home for the holidays week and transform your home into a Winter Wonderland Nov. 16th- 22nd.

Although styles and assortment vary by store, you can visit biglots.com/christmas to view the Christmas catalog and for ideas, tips, and more inspiration!